Music is for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance and cost should not be a barrier to a child who wants to learn music.
Our Creative Learning and Engagement (CLE) team deliver music education in schools and out of school, music education projects and community projects. We also work closely with primary, secondary and special schools across Bristol, offering our Musical Schools programme, providing tuition, resources and training.
We offer a range of financial support for individuals and schools, including bursaries, discounts and payment plans for those who are eligible.
Instrumental lessons, ensembles and instrument hire
We provide discounts and benefits for instrumental lessons, music-making ensembles and instrument hire. Please check eligibility criteria for each of the discount options:
- Lesson discount for Pupil Premium students
- Free instrument hire for Pupil Premium students
- Free lessons for children and young people in care
- Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) lesson discounts
- Endangered instruments lesson discount
- Ensembles, groups and choirs discounts
- Free ensembles, groups and choirs places for children and young people in care
- Free ensembles, groups and choirs places for children and young people with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
- Multi-ensemble, group or choir discount
- Free holiday workshops for children in care, children with an EHCP and refugees
Lesson discount for Pupil Premium students
Who is it for?
Primary and Secondary aged students having Bristol Beacon music lessons.
Eligibility criteria
To be in receipt of Pupil Premium – see Pupil Premium guidance for further information.
To be receiving lessons that are timetabled by Bristol Beacon.
Benefits
25% discount on lessons.
How to apply
- If you book a music lesson through the Bristol Beacon on SpeedAdmin, via the Bristol Beacon website:
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- Select the ‘Pupil Premium’ box when applying for a lesson through Bristol Beacon on SpeedAdmin
- Bristol Beacon will contact your school to check your child’s Pupil Premium status
- Bristol Beacon will apply the discount to your SpeedAdmin account
- If you book a music lesson through your school (not via SpeedAdmin):
- Speak to your school about discounts they might be able to support you with
Free instrument hire for Pupil Premium students
Who is it for?
Primary and Secondary aged students having music lessons with Bristol Beacon who receive Pupil Premium.
Eligibility
To be in receipt of Pupil Premium and hiring an instrument from Bristol Beacon – see Pupil Premium guidance for further information.
To be receiving lessons that are timetabled by Bristol Beacon.
Benefits
Free instrument hire.
How to apply
- Select the ‘Pupil Premium’ box when applying for a instrument hire on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
- Bristol Beacon will contact your school to check your child’s Pupil Premium status
- Bristol Beacon will apply the discount to your SpeedAdmin account
Free lessons for children and young people in care
Who is it for?
Primary and Secondary aged students currently in care, who receive Bristol Beacon music lessons.
Eligibility
To be receiving lessons that are timetabled by Bristol Beacon through SpeedAdmin.
For children and young people currently in care.
Benefits
Free music lessons.
How to apply
- Select the ‘Children in Care’ box when applying for music lessons on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
- Bristol Beacon will contact your school/Hope Virtual School directly for confirmation
- Bristol Beacon will apply the discount to your SpeedAdmin account
- Where appropriate, Bristol Beacon will also contact the child’s social worker and/or foster carer
Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) lesson discounts
Who is it for?
Students aged 7 –18 with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) having music lessons with Bristol Beacon.
Eligibility
To be receiving lessons that are timetabled by Bristol Beacon through SpeedAdmin.
Students with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) whose family financial circumstances present a barrier to accessing music education. The bands for this discount are as follows:
- Combined household income of £30,000 or less – Free lessons and instrument hire
- Combined household income of £35,000 – 50% discount on lessons and free instrument hire
- Combined household income of £40,000 – 25% discount on lessons and free instrument hire
Benefits
Discounted music lessons and free instrument hire.
How to apply
Booking your music lesson
- Select the ‘EHCP’ box when applying for music lessons on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
- Bristol Beacon will contact your school directly for confirmation
Applying for the EHCP Discount
- Complete a ‘Discount Application’ on SpeedAdmin using the button below
- For this discount read the information under the ‘EHCP Discount’ heading and read the Terms and Conditions.
- Complete the application questions and include your supporting evidence of income/benefits. Evidence might include:
- Photocopies of letters and statements from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) detailing the benefit awarded
- Photocopies of letters and statements from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) detailing the benefit awarded
- Proof of free school meals
- Once this has been received by the Bristol Beacon team, your bursary will be applied to your SpeedAdmin account
Please note:
- Supporting evidence of income/benefits will be requested annually
- Bursaries and discounts are dependent on the availability of funds so apply early to avoid disappointment
Endangered instruments lesson discount
Who is it for?
Primary and Secondary aged students having music lessons with Bristol Beacon during school time.
Eligibility
To be receiving lessons that are timetabled by Bristol Beacon through SpeedAdmin.
To be learning the double bass, bassoon, tuba, French horn, oboe or trombone.
Benefits
50% off your lesson fee.
How to apply
- Apply to learn the double bass, bassoon, tuba or trombone on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
- The discount will automatically be applied to your SpeedAdmin account
Ensembles, groups and choirs discounts
Who is it for?
For students in a Bristol Beacon ensemble, music group or choir, who face barriers to accessing music education due to family financial circumstances.
Eligibility
To be a member of a Bristol Beacon ensemble, music group or choir.
Students whose family financial circumstances present a barrier to accessing music education. The bands for this discount are as follows:
- Combined household income of 30,000 or less – Free ensembles places
- Combined household income of 35,000 – 50% discount on ensembles places
- Combined household income of 40,000 – 25% discount on ensembles places
Benefits
Free or discounted ensemble places.
How to apply
Booking your ensemble, group or choir
- Apply for the chosen ensemble, group or choir on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
Join an ensemble, group or choir
Applying for the Ensembles Discount
- Complete a ‘Discount Application’ on SpeedAdmin using the button below
- For this discount read the information under the ‘Ensembles Discount’ heading and read the Terms and Conditions.
- Complete the application questions and include your supporting evidence of income/benefits. Evidence might include:
- Photocopies of letters and statements from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) detailing the benefit awarded
- Photocopies of letters and statements from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) detailing the benefit awarded
- Proof of free school meals
- Once this has been received by the Bristol Beacon team, your discount will be applied to your SpeedAdmin account
Please note:
- Supporting evidence of income/benefits will be requested annually.
- Applications can be made at any point during the year.
- Bursaries and discounts are dependent on the availability of funds so apply early to avoid disappointment.
Free ensembles, groups and choirs places for children and young people in care
Who is it for?
Primary and Secondary aged students in a Bristol Beacon ensemble, group or choir.
Eligibility
For children and young people currently in care.
Benefits
Free places on Bristol Beacon ensembles, groups or choirs.
How to apply
- Select the ‘Children in Care’ box when applying for Bristol Beacon ensembles, groups or choirs on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
- Bristol Beacon will contact your school/Hope Virtual School directly for confirmation
- Bristol Beacon will apply the discount to your SpeedAdmin account
- Where appropriate, Bristol Beacon will also contact the child’s social worker and/or foster carer
Free ensembles, groups and choirs places for children and young people with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
Who is it for?
Primary and Secondary aged students with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) who are in a Bristol Beacon ensemble, music group or choir.
Eligibilty
For students with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).
Benefits
Free places on Bristol Beacon ensembles, groups or choirs.
How to apply
- Select the ‘EHCP’ box when applying for ensembles, groups or choirs on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
- Bristol Beacon will contact your school for confirmation
- Bristol Beacon will apply the discount to your SpeedAdmin account
Multi-ensemble, group or choir discount
Who is it for?
For students accessing more than one Bristol Beacon ensemble, music group or choir.
Eligibility
To be a member of more than one Bristol Beacon ensemble, music group or choir.
Benefits
30% off combined ensemble, group or choir fees.
How to apply
- Apply for multiple chosen ensembles, groups or choirs on SpeedAdmin via the Bristol Beacon website
- The discount will automatically be applied to your SpeedAdmin account
Free holiday workshops
Who is it for?
For children in care, children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) or refugees accessing a Bristol Beacon Summer School, holiday activity or workshop.
Eligibility
To be a child in care, child with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) or refugee wishing to participate in a summer school in holiday activity.
Benefits
Free summer school, activity or workshop places.
How to apply
Please contact the Bristol Beacon team at bookings@bristolbeacon.org. to discuss, and find out more about applying for a free place.
Schools
The way that Bristol Beacon supports schools is through our Musical Schools Membership Scheme. For further information around this, please see our Musical Schools Membership brochures or speak to a member of the Bristol Beacon Team.
We offer discounts for schools part of our Musical Schools Membership Scheme. Please check eligibility criteria for each of the discount options:
- Multi-membership discount
- Primary Orchestra Pupil Premium discount
- Earthsong schools Musical Schools Membership discount
Multi-membership discount
Who is it for?
Ideal for Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) looking to invest in musical support that is consistent across multiple sites/schools.
Mainstream schools with a Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit.
Eligibility
To have purchased more than one Musical Schools Membership package for your schools.
For Multi Academy Trusts (MATs), at least 70% of the schools within your MAT must be a registered as a Bristol Beacon Musical Schools Member before January 2024.
Benefits
10% discount on your annual Musical Schools Membership fee.
How to apply
- Register as a Bristol Beacon Musical School
- Complete registration for the Musical Schools Memberships using the relevant application form via the button below
Register to be a Musical School
- Register as a Bristol Beacon Musical School
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- Email the Bristol Beacon team at bookings@bristolbeacon.org to discuss your eligibility for this discount
- Once your eligibility has been verified by the Bristol Beacon team, the discount will be applied prior to your invoice being sent
Primary Orchestra Pupil Premium discount
Who is it for?
Members of the Bristol Beacon Musical Schools scheme, with students attending our Primary Orchestra Workshop event who receive Pupil Premium.
Eligibility
To be a Bristol Beacon Musical Schools Member.
To have students who receive Pupil Premium registered to attend the event – see Pupil Premium guidance for further information.
Benefits
Free spaces for children receiving Pupil Premium to attend our Primary Orchestra Workshop.
How to apply
- Complete the booking for the Primary Orchestra Workshop sent to you via email ahead of the event – ensure you list the number of students attending who receive Pupil Premium
- Once eligibility has been verified by the Bristol Beacon team, the discount will be applied prior to your invoice being sent
Earthsong schools Musical Schools Membership discount
Who is it for?
Schools currently participating in the Bristol Beacon Earthsong programme.
Eligibility
To be a school participating in the Bristol Beacon Earthsong programme.
Benefits
Free annual Musical Schools Membership for your school.
How to apply
- Complete the registration for your Musical Schools Membership using the relevant application form.
- Once your Earthsong status has been verified by the Bristol Beacon team, the discount will be applied prior to your invoice being sent.
How to apply
- Register as a Bristol Beacon Musical School
- Complete registration for the Musical Schools Memberships using the relevant application form via the button below
- Once your Earthsong status has been verified by the Bristol Beacon team, the discount will be applied prior to your invoice being sent.
Register to be a Musical School
Fees
Payments for music lessons, instrument hire and ensembles are paid for by invoice via SpeedAdmin. Check below for fees payable for academic year 2024 – 25 (valid from Sep 2024).
Lesson fees for 2024-25
Lesson type
Individual 60 mins
Individual 30 mins
Individual 20 mins
Small group (primary)
Paired lesson (secondary)
Price per double term
£476
£238
£159
£80
£119
Annual price
£1428
£714
£477
£240
£357
Instrument hire fees for 2024-25
Instrument type
Band A
Band B
Price per double term
£23
£34
Annual price
£69
£102
Band A: Violin, Viola, Acoustic Guitar
Band B: Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium, French horn, Cornet, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar
Ensembles, groups and choirs fees for 2024-25
Ensemble type
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Price per double term
£41
£60
£83
Annual price
£123
£180
£249
Level 1: Mini singers, String Sparks, String Group, Brass Sparks, Guitar Sparks, Percussion Sparks. Jazz Blueprints, Senior Percussion
Level 2: Junior String Orchestra, Junior Wind Band, Jazz Ambassadors, Singing Sparks, Junior/Intermediate Choir, Lower Voices, Bristol Youth Studios
Level 3: Bridge Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, Bristol Youth Orchestra, Upper Voices Choir
External opportunities
Please see below for details on external funding opportunities that you may be eligible for outside of the financial support that Bristol Beacon has to offer.
Awards for Young Musicians
Awards are available to young instrumentalists – all genres welcome. The application deadline is early March every year. Applicants can request a recommendation from Bristol Beacon when they apply, and they will also need a reference from their instrumental teacher.
Age range: 5 – 17 years
Future Talent Bursaries
Future Talent is a charity that gives financial support and guidance to young musicians who are clearly demonstrating outstanding musical ability or potential, but for whatever reason do not have the financial means to reach their goal. Three financial awards available depending on age and circumstances. Applications for bursaries and scholarships open in the Spring.
Age range: 5 – 18 years
Christine Brown Trust
The Christine Brown Trust for Young Musicians offers financial support to exceptionally talented young musicians, who are UK residents and experiencing financial hardship.
Age range: 19 years or younger
Hattori Foundation
Instrumental soloists who are resident in the UK and have demonstrated both exceptional talent and achievement. Musicians may apply at any time of the year for financial assistance towards travelling expenses to attend national or international competitions, master classes within the UK or abroad and specific assistance in the case of hardship.
Age range: 15 – 20
Music for everyone
Music for everyone
We invite all members of Bristol’s communities to share, celebrate and participate in creative projects, performances, workshops, networks and social meet-ups.
Be Creative
Be Creative
We believe in the power of music to inspire, teach and transform lives. Learn an instrument, join and ensemble and access artist mentorship opportunities.
About Us
About Us
We’re a music charity, renowned venue and award-winning music education hub. Find out about our city-wide programme of live music, creative learning opportunities and community engagement.